Tony Stewart: Kevin Ward Jr. crash was ‘100 percent an accident’

In the days and weeks following the death of Kevin Ward Jr., Tony Stewart battled depression, became a recluse and could not get out of bed, he told The Associated Press.

Stewart’s comments mark the first time he’s spoke publicly about Ward’s Aug. 9 death other than a brief statement Aug. 29 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Ward died when he was clipped by Stewart’s sprint car during a dirt race at Canandaigua (N.Y.) Motorsports Park. The 20-year-old had just been involved in a racing incident with Stewart and was on foot and walking towards the bottom of the track at the time of the accident.

“I know 100 percent in my heart and in my mind that I did not do anything wrong,” Stewart told The Associated Press. “This was 100 percent an accident.”

Stewart confined himself in his Indiana home for three weeks and needed “professional help” to cope. He missed three consecutive Sprint Cup Series races before returning Labor Day Weekend at Atlanta. During his time in seclusion Stewart described it as a “chore” just to shower or get out of bed.

“You sit there and you wrack your brain, you try to analyze ‘Why did this happen?’” Stewart said. “I made myself miserable just trying to make sense of it ... I just couldn’t function. I’ve never been in a position where I just couldn’t function.”

Stewart says a day doesn’t go by that he doesn’t think about the accident. The three-time Cup champion still finds it difficult to leave the house and even needed to summon a hairdresser to his North Carolina residence when he was in need of a haircut.

“You are part of something so tragic and so unthinkable, it’s hard to face anybody,” Stewart said. “It was hard to wrap my arms around this, and it still is. I haven’t been a part of society for more than six weeks. You are scared to be around anybody, you are embarrassed to be around anybody because of what happened.

“You are never going to forget about it. You are never going to not see it happen all over again. It’s going to be a part of me forever.”

A New York grand jury on Wednesday determined no charges would be filed against Stewart for his involvement. Also a toxicology report found enough marijuana in Ward’s system “to impair judgment,” District Attorney Michael Tantillo said.

Per the advice of legal counsel Stewart would not talk about the events of August 9th with The AP.

Ward’s mother, Pam, released a statement on behalf of the family following the grand jury’s decision condemning Stewart’s actions.

“Our son got out of his car during caution when the race was suspended,” she said. “All the other vehicles were reducing speed and not accelerating except for Stewart, who intentionally tried to intimidate Kevin by accelerating and sliding his car toward him, causing the tragedy. The focus should be on the actions of Mr. Stewart. This matter is not at rest and we will pursue all remedies in fairness to Kevin.”

Stewart told the AP he doesn’t blame the Ward family for their feelings and can’t image the grief they’re experiencing.

“I guess the end result is I don’t blame them for anything they say,” Stewart said.